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Side effects of Levaquin have been linked to permanent and debilitating nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy, which can last for months or years after last use of the antibiotic.

STATUS OF LEVAQUIN NEUROPATHY LAWSUITS: A growing number of Levaquin lawsuits are being pursued by individuals throughout the United States who have discovered that nerve problems may have been caused by use of the medication. Product liability lawyers are reviewing potential claims for individuals diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, or who have suffered symptoms of nerve damage.

OVERVIEW: Levaquin (levofloxacin) is an antibiotic that is part of a group of drugs known as fluoroquinolones. It is one of the most widely used antibiotics, and has been used by millions of Americans.

Prior to the introduction of generic competitors, Levaquin generated over $1.3 billion in annual sales for the drug makers.

Although the antibiotic has been on the market for nearly 20 years, it appears that potential Levaquin side effects have not been thoroughly researched and that inadequate warnings have been provided for users and the medical community about the risk of peripheral neuropathy, which can cause:

Pain in the Arms, Legs, Hands or Feet

Burning, Tingling or Numbness

Weakness, Tiredness or Heaviness

Sensitivity to Light Touches, Temperator and Motion

LEVAQUIN NERVE DAMAGE SIDE EFFECTS: Scientific evidence has established a link between fluoroquinolone antibiotics and peripheral neuropathy for decades, with the first published case reports coming as early as 1992.

Concerns about the development of peripheral neuropathy after using fluoroquinolones was raised by doctors from Infectious Disease Clinic and Microbiology Laboratory at Institut Jules Bordet of Belgium in 1992, in a letter to the editor of The Lancet, which outlined a case involving a 37 year old patient.

In 2001, a published study in the U.S. examined dozens of reports involving long-term peripheral neuropathy nervous system damage following use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, finding that over half of patients continued to experience symptoms more than a year after last use of the medication. Approximately 80% characterized the peripheral neuropathy problems as severe.

Although peripheral neuropathy warnings were added to many of the medications in September 2004, it appears that this information was false and misleading. The warnings suggested that the peripheral neuropathy problems from Levaquin were “rare” and failed to disclose that users may be left with permanent nerve damage.

Many users may have been able to avoid permanent and debilitating nerve injury if adequate information had been provided about the potential link between Levaquin and peripheral neuropathy, informing users and the medical community about the importance of switching to a different antibiotic upon the onset of symptoms.

In August 2013, the FDA announced that new and stronger warnings would be added to Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The new warnings remove prior claims that the nerve damage cases were rare, and indicate that the problems may affect users for years after they stop taking the drug. In many cases the peripheral neuropathy causes permanent disability and limitations for the remainder of the users life.

LEVAQUIN RETINA DETACHMENT SIDE EFFECTS: In addition to claims for nerve damage, lawsuits over Levaquin are also being reviewed for individuals who have experienced retinal detachment.

Although doctors have long-suspected that Levaquin and other antibiotics in the same class of medications have a detrimental effect on connective tissues throughout the body, the manufacturers may have failed to adequately research or warn about the risk of eye problems and vision loss.

In April 2012, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that users of Levaquin may be five times more likely to suffer a retinal detachment, which is a medical emergency where the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support.

Some lawyers are now considering whether individuals may be entitled to financial compensation through a Levaquin retina detachment lawsuit if they suffered an injury, as proper warnings may have allowed individuals to avoid the eye problems, since prompt treatment may the retina from detaching completely.

Symptoms of a developing detached retina from Levaquin may include:

Flashes of Light

Floaters or “Hairs” Visible to the Temporal Side of the Central Vision

Dramatic Increases in the NUmber of Floaters

Feeling of Heaviness in the Eye

Dense Shadow Progressing from Peripheral to Central Vision

Impression that a Veil or Curtain Was Drawn Over Field of Vision

Central Vision Loss

LEVAQUIN TENDON RUPTURE LAWSUITS: In 2009, the FDA required a black box warning about the risk of tendon ruptures on Levaquin, providing prominent warnings for consumers about the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if discomfort in the achilles tendon is noticed.

In the years following the warning update, nearly 4,000 Levaquin lawsuits were filed by users who experienced sudden tendon problems. By late 2012 and early 2013, Levaquin settlements were reached to resolve most of those cases. New claims for tendon ruptures are no longer being pursued by most Levaquin lawyers.

366 comments

i took levaquin a while back for a UTI and it almost killed me. i just took one pill and a few hours later i had severe diahherea and vomiting. the food i had eaten when i took the pill never got broken down (it was almost as if it was still on the plate). i could not digest solid food for about 6 weeks after this. i was very weak. i finally went to the emergency room and it was there that i first threw up and started to improve, but it took that 6 week period following the emergency room experience to get over it. a few years later my mom had to have more than 50% of her colon removed and when i visited her in the hospital she commented to me that she didnt think she would make it out alive from the surgery. i was somehow prompted to look at her IV bags and noticed that they had her on levaquin. i made the doctors take her off of it immediately and it was then that she started to improve. this is a highly dangerous drug and i highly recommend others to be careful in its use.

I just had 3 500mg pills of levofloxacin. My right legs feels like it will break any moment. Right Knee aches if I walk few steps. Doctor only told me that he is going to give an antibiotic for 20 days. Unsuspecting, I had 3 pills. Since I read through the leaflet given along with the pills using a magnifying glass, I think I still can limp. I stopped taking it soon after I noticed the first sign of problems. I am not sure if this has helped me yet.

I think I will have to start treatment soon to fight against disability. A good drug for the health care industry, this one. Doctors prescribe it and dont mention that this has a side effect , that may never go away and could even disable you. They dont give you a choice. I doubt there is something going on behind this drug.

I took levaquin for 18 days in November 2010 and I am still feeling the affects- chronic sore, stiff tendons in feet, ankles, fingers and wrists. I don\’t walk right anymore. I couldn\’t use my thumb for an entire month; it was so sore I had to turn off my ignition with my left hand. When moving the thumb, I could hear the tendons snap if I put my ear up to it. Sometimes I have trouble pushing myself up out of the tub as my wrists hurt too much. Every time I sit for a period of time, I have to carefully walk slowly as I am so sore and stiff. I talked to one lawyer but he wouldn\’t bother with me as I didn\’t have a ruptured tendon and he said that the chronic stiffnees etc. could be attributed to other problems. I believe that these drug companies need to be help responsible. I have heart irregularities which I am not sure if are caused by the levaquin. Doctors cannot seem to find out what is causing them. I can no longer do parts of my job or sleep well at night.

I too had Levaquin for pneumonia in October 2012 and now am losing grip strength in my hands, have skin issues over Achilles\’ tendons and hands, elbows, calf. Have been treated with multiple topicals with no effect. Prednisone helped (given for lung issues) but once stopped, the rages occurred again. Biopsy inconclusive (dermatologist felt is psoriasis – no). The weakness will likely end my career as a therapist.

I took Levaquin for an unknown illness in June 2013 and have been having serious side effects ever since. It started with painful ankles (even to stand for a few minutes) and progressed into my entire head, neck, and chest burning nonstop. This has continued on daily (until this day). In the last month, my ankles have started to vibrate and standing on them has become even more painful. I have developed numbness in my face (cheeks) as well that will not go away.

I have been tested over and over – blood work for everything, MRIs of the brain and full spine, Cat Scan of the lungs, multiple x-rays, a halter monitor (for heart palpitations that started).

I honestly have no clue what else to do. Insurance has run out and I can’t seem to stop any of the numbness, burning, or pain in my ankles.

Don’t bother going after Levaquin drug manufacturers as they have been pardoned by Bush and if you do get a recovery on a class action it won’r be worth your time.It is same as Donald Trump running over you and making you unable to work and then he hands you a McDonald’s coupon for compensation.

I recently took levoflaxcin for an ear infection. I was taking 1 a day for ten days. On day 6 I participate in a flag football torunement. I am active and in goof shape. One the first play i was running acros the field and felt like someone hit me in the back of the leg. I turned around and no one was behind me. I instantly could not walk on my toes. I went to the ER and after showing the ER doctor what I was taking he showed me the box warning for.levoflaxcin. I then went and say a ortho doctor and was told I ruptured my planatris tendon likely from taking the drug. Othro doctor stated that i was in good shape as well. Looking for some information on what to do if i can do anything.

Took levequan for uti which it did not cure and have numbing in my fingers which is very bad and slight numbing and pain in my toes . Also have severe pain in my left bicep which makes sleeping almost impossible as it hurts so much . I did not exercise at all while on this drug for fear of Achilles tear so now I have to deal with the numbness and immobility in my right arm.

I started taking Levofloxasin 500mg two days ago, on October 8, 2014 after my doctor prescribed it for Bronchitis. The first day, after 2 hours I took the medicine I felt pain on my right leg by the heel. In a few hours it went away. I took the next dose on October 9, 2014. In 2/12 hours I developed pain on my left knee. This time the pain has been very severe to the point I walk with a limp. I took the medicine last knight at around 6:30 pm and I was with a lot of pain on my left knee all night. Right now is 10:00 am the next day October 10, 2014 and I still have a lot of pai. I called my doctor to see what he is going to say. I am waiting for his phone call. But after reading all the above comments, I am going to stop it regardless what my doctor will say. It is scary to even think what will happen if I continue taking this medicine. Meanwhile, I hope that I will not stay with this pain, at this level of pain for a long time.

I was on Levaquin once before and didn’t haven any major problems. This time I’m 67 yrs old and finished ten days of 500 mg x2 a day for 7 days, and then 1 a day for the next 3 days. My feet have bothered me throughout the ten days. I finished taking the pills three days ago, but my feet, legs and knees have really bothered me more today. Tonight I was walking in my bedroom and my left knee gave way, and I had instant pain. It felt like something tore. I am icing it now and pray going to bed is the right thing to do. I don’t want to put any more medicine in my body, so I won’t take Aleve for the pain. Getting old is a pain, but I was leary of taking Levaquin, but nothing was curing my pneumonia and now it is almost 100% gone. What to do. What to do.

I was prescribed Levoquin in june 2014 I was an active Yoga teacher working and helping as a volunteer in
Cambodia, I am from the Uk prior to coming here I was living in Belgium.
I was prescribed this drug for acute bronchial infection which had not gone away for 9 weeks of coughing.
On day 3 I was at a meditation retreat I tried to stand up but could not.
I never associated the flu like heaviness in my legs I could hardly walk.
I went home to rest, the next day I was in excruciating pain in all my joints I could not walk or lift my arms above my head…….6 months on having been bed ridden for 3 I am unable to continue my work I walk with a stick the main problem is in my hips and fingers also with an inability to sleep and floaters with periodic lightening flashes in my eyes.
I spend most of my days alone in bed in my room
There is no good health care here in Cambodia,
This was my 1st antibiotic taken in 26 yrs it has no warnings on the box here.
I have been diagnosed with peripheral Neuropathy.
I am now stuck in Cambodia…..If anyone can advise me of what to do I would be most grateful.
Right Now I am Praying for a Miracle.
How can such a drug be on the market…..My life is ruined after taking 500mg for 10 days.
Blessings to All who have been damaged by this awful drug..
Siri…..

I’m 58 Im in a wheelchair and took levapuin a few years back for uti and few moth back have been having bruing in my arms leg and head , sweating and other problems pleases call would like to no more about lawsuits on this medications thank u for time

I am not sure exactly why my father was prescribed Levaquin, I just know that 3 days after taking the medicine he had to go to the hospital for some kind of swelling in the abdomen area He ended up dying. I don’t think my father or anyone else period should die or be injured from something that doctor’s say is supposed to help you feel better, instead of the total opposite.

Injured 5 yrs ago on disablity now near died and have horrible ptsd from the horrific burning and insomnia and anxiety from what it does to the nervous system sypathetic and autonomic had vibrating nerves in hands legs feet for long time couldnt walk for a period of time and im talking yrs and im still suffering swellin in intestines which cause pain in chest underarms i had to have all my teeth pulled due to it kilin my tissues in gums. no one should ever go unanswered for compensation and to have real medical help to heal the tissues and tendons where is JUSTICE and its going to stop being given i willl make sure of this

I have all of the above . I have been put on Levaquin on and off for the last ten year . I have had surgery on my arms for nerve damage and tendencies. I have loss of hearing and ringing in the ears caused by nerve damage. I am losing my vision and have been for the last 8 years . When I was put on it I got black spots on my skin they appeared over night .